Safety notice: Single wall stove pipe is not chimney pipe. You must always transition to a UL 103 HT-listed Class A chimney pipe before penetrating any wall, ceiling, or roof. Follow all local building codes for chimney pipe installation and your stove manufacturer's instructions.
What Tools and Materials Do You Need?
- Single wall black stove pipe sections (typically 6" or 8" diameter)
- Stove adapter (if your stove collar does not match the pipe directly)
- Elbows or adjustable elbows (45 or 90 degrees)
- Telescoping or slip pipe for length adjustments
- Wall thimble or ceiling support box (pre-installed)
- High-temperature black screws (minimum 3 per joint)
- Drill or screwdriver
- Measuring tape
- Heat-resistant sealant (optional)
Clearance Rules Before You Start
| Pipe Type | Clearance to Combustibles | Where It Can Be Used |
|---|---|---|
| Single wall stove pipe | 18 inches | Inside the room only: stove to the ceiling support box, or to the Class A pipe before a wall |
| Double wall stove pipe | 6 inches | Inside the room only: stove to the ceiling support box, or to the Class A pipe before a wall |
| Class A chimney pipe (UL 103 HT) | 2 inches | Through walls, ceilings, attics, roofs, and exterior |
Per NFPA 211, single-wall stove pipe (the connector pipe inside the room between the appliance and the Class A chimney) must maintain at least 18 inches of clearance from any combustible wall, ceiling, or framing. Clearance is measured to combustible material, so a genuinely non-combustible wall, such as poured concrete, concrete block or solid masonry, needs no clearance, though direct metal-to-metal contact should still be avoided. Brick or stone applied over a wood-framed wall does not count as non-combustible: it conducts heat through to the framing behind it, so the 18 inches is measured to that framing rather than to the face of the brick. Take the clearance for your own run from the listing and the installation instructions supplied with the pipe you install. Plan your pipe run as short and straight as possible for the best draft performance.
In a corner, the pipe has two walls close by, so measure the 18 inches to both. Our guide to corner wood stove clearance explains where the stove's own corner figures come from and what the pipe needs beside them.
Step-by-Step Installation
Step 1: Connect to the Stove
Attach the first section of stove pipe to the stove flue collar. Use a stove adapter if the collar and pipe diameters do not match directly. Secure the joint with at least 3 high-temperature black screws, evenly spaced around the connection.
Step 2: Add Vertical Sections
Continue upward, adding straight sections of stove pipe. Each new section should fit snugly into the one below (crimped end down). Fasten every joint with 3 screws.
Step 3: Add Bends If Needed
Use 45 or 90 degree elbows only when your layout requires them. Every bend reduces draft, so keep them to a minimum. Secure each elbow joint with screws just like a straight connection.
Step 4: Adjust the Height
Use a telescoping or slip pipe for fine length adjustments. Avoid cutting the pipe unless there is no other option. Never install crimped ends facing upward - the crimped end always points down so condensation and creosote drip toward the stove, not into the joint.
Installation Scenarios
Scenario A: Vertical Rise With 90-Degree Turn to Wall Exit
- Run the stove pipe vertically at least 18 inches above the stove before adding an elbow.
- Install a 90-degree elbow and continue with a horizontal run toward the wall thimble.
- The horizontal section must slope upward at least 1/4 inch per foot toward the chimney for proper draft.
- Limit horizontal length to no more than 75% of the total chimney height above the stove.
- Stop the stove pipe inside the room at the stove pipe adapter on a Class A chimney section, keeping the stove pipe at least 18 inches from the combustible wall; only that Class A section passes through the listed wall thimble.
- Outside, that Class A section joins the tee of the Class A chimney system, which rises up the wall.
This setup is common for garage and shed installations. See our through-the-wall chimney guide for garages for a full walkthrough.
Where the wall exit is on a house, the outside half of that run is matched in our through the wall stove pipe kit, from the tee at the base to the cap.
Scenario B: Straight Vertical Rise Through the Ceiling
- Continue the stove pipe straight up from the stove into the ceiling support box.
- Fasten every joint with 3 screws.
- At the support box, transition from stove pipe to Class A UL 103 HT insulated chimney pipe.
- Continue the chimney through the attic, any additional floors, and the roof with firestops at each penetration.
- Finish the exterior with roof flashing, a storm collar, and a listed chimney cap.
This is the most common residential setup. Our two-story chimney installation guide covers this scenario in detail.
Safety Tips for Single Wall Stove Pipe
- Never use stove pipe as chimney pipe. Always switch to UL 103 HT Class A chimney when the pipe leaves the room.
- Consider adding a stove pipe damper to regulate draft and heat output.
- Inspect and clean at least once per heating season to prevent creosote buildup and chimney fires.
- Always follow the stove manufacturer's installation manual alongside these instructions.
- If you are unsure about your clearances or layout, use our free chimney design service before you start.
Shop the Products Mentioned
Need Help Choosing the Right Stove Pipe Setup?
Every installation is a little different. If you are not sure which pipe diameter, length, or configuration you need, use our free chimney design service for a custom recommendation within 24 hours. Or call us at 888-834-0880 (9 AM - 9 PM, 7 days a week). You can also browse our full range of single wall and double wall stove pipes to find exactly what you need. Click here for an installation guide for chimney liners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the clearance for single wall stove pipe?
Single wall stove pipe requires 18 inches of clearance to all combustible materials, including wood framing, drywall, and furniture. This clearance must be maintained along the entire length of the pipe. If 18 inches is too tight for your space, double wall stove pipe only needs 6 inches.
Can single wall stove pipe go through a wall or ceiling?
No. Single wall stove pipe must stay inside the room where the stove is installed. To pass through any wall, ceiling, floor, or roof, you must transition to UL 103 HT-rated Class A chimney pipe at a ceiling support box, or inside the room before a wall; only the Class A pipe passes through the wall thimble.
How many screws per stove pipe joint?
Use at least 3 high-temperature black screws per joint, evenly spaced around the connection. This applies to straight sections, elbows, and the connection to the stove adapter.
Which way does the crimped end face on stove pipe?
The crimped end always faces down (toward the stove). This way, any condensation or creosote runs down the inside of the pipe toward the stove rather than leaking out of the joints.
Need More Information?
Hopefully, you just got all the answers you need, but maybe you still have a question. If you want to know about this or any other topic relating to domestic burners and flue pipes, or about the installation of a chimney liner; then please check out our FAQ page.
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